A memorial and biographical history of northern California, illustrated. Containing a history of this important section of the Pacific coast from the earliest period of its occupancy...and biographical mention of many of its most eminent pioneers and also of prominent citizens of today, Part 75

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago : The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 1000

USA > California > A memorial and biographical history of northern California, illustrated. Containing a history of this important section of the Pacific coast from the earliest period of its occupancy...and biographical mention of many of its most eminent pioneers and also of prominent citizens of today > Part 75

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In 1864, in Woodland, he married one of the ladies who came across the plains with him, Miss Mary Browning, a native of Monroe County, Kentucky, and they have two children living: Rowena and Charles F .; Montie B. died in 1879.

ENTON V. CRUMRINE, one of the suc- cessful and energetic farmers of this county, is a native of Washington County, Pennsylvania, born November 20, 1847, the son of Abraham and Sarah A. (Boyd) Crumrine: the former is a native of Pennsylvania, and a millwright by trade, and the latter is a native of Virginia, who moved to Putnam County, Illinois, in 1856. In 1862 the subject of this sketch enlisted in the regular army, the Six- teenth Regiment of United States Infantry, serving as a private soldier nearly three years. He then re-enlisted in the Second United States Infantry, serving until after the close of the war, and during his army service he was pro- moted to the rank of Sergeant-Major of his regi- ment, and was honorably discharged at Livings- ton, Alabama, in 1867. After his return to Illinois he engaged in the milling business with his father and brother. In 1872 he sold his interest to his brother and associated himself with the coal mines of Bureau County, Illinois. In 1875 he sold his interest in the mines and in the following year came by rail to California, locating near Marysville, and engaged in farm-

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ing on the Feather River. This enterprise proved a failure, cansed by the overflow of the river 'for two years in succession, inundating his farm and entirely destroying his crops both years. Nothing daunted, however, he looked around to mend his fortune, and in the fall of 1877 he came to Tehama County, landing here without a dollar, but by hard work he has come to the surface, and now resides on his farm of 200 acres, located in the foothills twelve miles west of Corning, where he carries on farmning and stock-raising.

Mr. Crumrine was married in La Salle Connty, Illinois, October 1, 1872, to Miss Ellen R. Barr, whose father was one of the early set- tlers on the Vermillion River, that State. They have four children: Romeyn E., Mabel H., Barrett and Ralph O. Politically Mr. Crum- rine affiliates with the Democratic party, and takes an active part in political matters. He has represented his party in the State and also in County conventions, and at the last election was their candidate for State Assemblyman. He is a prominent member of the G. A. R., and affiliates with the F. & A. M., Moline Lodge, No. 150, and also the A. O. U. W., No. 187, of Tehama.

OHN SIMPSON .- Among the prominent and progressive men in the business cir- cles of Tehama for the past thirty five years is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was born in Dumfries, Scotland, March 22, 1837, the son of John and Robinia (Craik) Simpson, who were of Scotch parentage and emigrated to the United States in 1838, locating in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, where our subject was reared and educated. He after- ward learned the blacksmith and machinist's trades, which he followed until 1856, when he came via Panama to California, remaining in San Francisco but a short time. He then came to Tehamna and took charge of the shoeing de- partment and repair shops of the old California

Stage Company, remaining in their employ until 1868. Mr. Simpson then became the partner of Charles Harvey, now deceased, in 1869, of which firm A. G. Toombs became the third partner, and they conducted a general merchandise business under the firm name of Harvey, Simpson & Company. In 1873 Mr. Simpson withdrew from the firm, taking as his interest the town water-works, which the firm then owned and controlled. His next enter- prise was the establishing of an extensive hard- ware and tin business, carrying a large assort- ment of crockery, glass, wood and willow ware, also agricultural implements of all kinds. His store is located at the head of Main street, where he owns one of the best appointed and most complete establishunents in this section of the county, carrying a stock the year round of $25,000.

Since Mr. Simpson located in Tehama he has been prominently identified with the growth and prosperity of the town and county: has now in course of construction, at the head of Main street, a large tank about sixty-two feet above the town level, with a capacity of 20,000 gal- lons of water, which is intended principally for fire emergencies, and he has also two tanks of small capacity for supplying the town with water. The supply drawn from the Sacramento River by steam power is inexhanstible. In ad- dition to his business property he is the possessor of a fine residence, with beautiful and well-kept grounds, and many choice varieties of citrus and deciduous fruits, under a high state of cul- tivation. Mr. Simpson is one of Tehama's enterprising and public-spirited men. Has rep- resented the county in the Legislature in 1873-'74, and was appinted County Supervisor by Governor Stoneman in 1884. His sons, John and George, are employed with him in business, and now have charge of Wells, Fargo & Company's express and postal telegraph sys- tem of Tehama.

Mr. Simpson was joined in wedlock at Car- bondale. Pennsylvania, September 3, 1856, with Miss Jennette McNeal, a native of the Keystone -

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State and of Scotch parentage. They have six children, of whom four are deceased. Politi- cally Mr. Simpson is a Democrat and takes an active part in the local matters and also affili ates with the F. & A. M., Moline Lodge, No. 150, and the A. O. U. W., Tehama Lodge, No. 187, of Tehamna.

EORGE W. TABER, a farmer of Capay Valley, Yolo County, being one of the old settlers there, was born in 1847, the son of Lorenzo and Eveline (Painter) Taber. His father, a shoemaker by trade, died in Capay, February 10, 1878, and his mother died at the same place, August 22, 1883. Mr. Taber came across the plains in 1852 to California, with the family, and they ]stopped in Sacramento, and the father ran a hotel in the foothills during the fall of 1861 and winter following. After re- siding six years in Oregon he became the pro- prietor of a fine ranch in Capay Valley, which is still the homestead occupied by the subject of this sketchi, who is well and favorably known through the valley for his good qualities. The farın contains 340 acres of well improved land, within three miles of Capay, and his principal product is grain.

August 14, 1882, in Woodland, Mr. Taber married Mrs. Catherine J. HIarley, and their children are: Jennie, the wife of Lee Wood, a farmer in the valley; Allen and Yuba.

ILLIAM SIMS, a prominent eitizen near Winters, Yolo County. California is a wonderful land. Its inhabitants have become renowned the world over for a spirit of enterprise and perseverance that has never been witnessed elsewhere. It is indeed a land of gigantic undertaking and grand achieve- inent, even in this country of great attainment, remarkable for the conspicuous success which the resources of the country so uniformly grant

to them who are diligent in attention to business and adopt judieious methods. It is therefore a peculiar pleasure to write the his- tory of the lives of Californians. A striking example is the gentleman whose name heads this article.

He dates his birth July 14, 1832, in Fayette County, Virginia, of humble parentage. His early days were spent npou a farm. He left Virginia March 19, 1849, and located in Cass County, Missouri, expecting to begin the study of law with an uncle there; but the gold excite- ment of California drew him on as with a hur- ricane. May 7, 1850, he crossed the western line of the State of Missouri, his mind not full of adventure but of honest principle. Coming with an ox team, he met with the usual experi- ences of the route, and remained about eight days in Salt Lake City. The last 300 miles he camne on foot, arriving at Georgetown, August 31, 1850. He began work in the American River mines at $7 a day, but worked only three days and a half when fever attacked him and held him to his bed for three weeks. Alone in a strange land and his means exhausted, not hav- ing even a " two-bit " piece with which to secure a scanty meal, he soon found a man with a heart that recognized his condition and took him in; but his exposure had caused a relapse and for nearly three years he was an invalid. He spent some time in a store as a clerk and book. keeper. In 1856 he went to Lake County, where he was engaged in farming until 1861; then he went to Yolo County and purchased a squatter's title, which he afterward sold, in 1863, for $400. Purchasing an outfit, he com- inenced teaming to the mines, and at the end of the first season he had $20 as the result of all his work! but with a remarkable degree of grit he continued in the same business the following season, and made sometimes as much as $100 a trip. In 1866 he put on another outfit and mnade as high as $700 a trip. From 1867 to 1876 he was engaged in running threshing- machines, in which business he was sueeessful. In 1869 he took a contract to cut 900 acres of

RufBeamer

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grain for $4,500. In 1870 he purchased his present property,-240 acres three miles north- east of Winters,-upon which 'he built a large and elegant residence in 1887. He now has some 560 acres in Yolo County, on which he carries on general farming, and he also has some thirty-five aeres in fruit. Thus, after the priva- tions, failures and sickness already referred to, on his eoming to California, we find him to-day enjoying prosperity in connection with a tine ranch and a comfortable home. He takes great interest in political affairs, but does not aspire to office, although he has often been asked,- even to fill some of the highest stations in the county and State. He voted at Murderer's Bar, at the first election held in California. He has been one of the School Trustees since 1862, and now nearly all the business in that relation is imposed upon him. He became identified with the Grange movement in 1873, in which he has taken a very active part. He is a large stock- holder in the warehouse at Winters, and also in the Bank of Winters, of which he has been vice-president since its organization. He is a member of Lodge No. 195, F. & A. M., of Dixon Chapter, No. 48, R. A. M .; of Lodge No. 33, K. of P. at Winters, and tor fourteen years of the I. O. G. T., of which he is now G. C. T.

In 1857 he married Miss L. A. Sims, a native of Ohio, who was reared in Virginia, and they have four children: George, Wilburn, Nora and Fred.

H. BEAMER .- There are but few, if any, names more familiar to residents of Woodland and Yolo County, than that of the Beamer family, after whom are named the Beamer Block and Beamer's Addition to Wood- land. The father of the subject of this sketch, a Virginian by birth, who had settled in Mis- souri when a very young man, was a Cali- fornia pioneer of 1849, and for twenty-five years was a resident of Yolo County, where he accu- 30

inulated a handsome estate, and died universally respected and regretted by all classes, in Novem- ber, 1879. The only son of this gentleman, Richard Henderson Beamer, is a native of " old Missouri," and was born on the 29th of July, 1849, at the time his father was delving for the precious metal in California.

The elder Mr. Beamer continued at mining until 1852, and in that year, attraeted by the fertility of the soil and the salubrity of the cli- mate of Yolo, he came here and was engaged for two years in farming, having acquired the ownership of a piece of land near the ranch now under the management of R. H. Beamer. In 1854, this gentleman, having decided on making Yolo County his future home, returned to Mis- sonri, and bronght his family baek with him, consisting of his wife, his son, R. H., and a daughter, now the wife of Mr. F. M. Brown, of Woodland. The journey across the plains was accomplished with the aid of the traditional team of oxen, and the little party duly arrived in Yolo County, of which R. H. Beamer has since been a continuons resident, if we except the time spent at an Easteru college in putting the finishing touches to his education. He had the advantage of the best educational facilities afforded in the locality, and being a bright, quiek-witted youngster, with both the desire and ability to excel in his studies, he successfully passed through the different grades of the public schools with eredit. His desire to still further continue his studies was encouraged by his father, who was himself a well-read, intelligent gentle- man-one of the founders of the Hesperian College-who thoroughly appreciated the bene- tits of a higher education. " Dick " Beamer, as he is known to his friends and familiars, at- tended the Hesperian College, and subsequently, in 1868, accompanied his father to the Eastern States, visiting among other places the State of Kentneky. Mr. Beamer was then a young man of nineteen, a susceptible age, and the young gentleman was very much impressed by the scholastic opportunities afforded by the Blue Grass State, its many natural beauties, and pos-

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sibly by the charms of the fair daughters of the sunny Sonth. Infatuated by the inducements offered by the University of Kentucky, at Lex- ington, lie entered the School of Arts therewith connected, and while worshiping at the shrine of Minerva became acquainted with Miss Mary E. Hodgen. of Lexington. Completing his col- legiate studies Mr. Beamer returned to his Yolo County home, but in a few months again went East, and married the lady aboved named in Lexington, December 20, 1870, a few months after he had arrived at his majority. This gen- tleman brought his young wife to California, and has since been a resident of Woodland and vicinity, where they were afterward followed by the father, brother, and other relatives of Mrs. Beamer.

R. H. Beamer is a thoroughly practical and experienced agriculturist, and has for many years been extensively engaged in that industry, having 1,500 acres of rented lands near Black's, under cultivation, and a half section under his management near the city, on which stands his handsome, commodious and comfortable sub- urban residence. He owns, in addition to the above. 800 acres of choice lands in Shasta County.

Entering the political arena at a very early age, this gentleman has filled several public positions of honor, trust and responsibility. In 1872, when in his twenty-third year, R. H. Beamer was elected Anditor of Yolo County, at which he served two years, and filled the position so creditably to himself and so satisfactorily to the citizens of Yolo that he, on the expiration of his term, was nominated and elected to the County Assessorship, which responsible office he held for four years. A short time after his re- tirement from office his father deceased, and he again assnmed the management of the old farm and home place, continuing thereat until 1885, when he was elected Sheriff of Yolo, and served that year and the following as such. "Dick" Beamer was also nominated by the Democracy in joint convention to represent in the Senate the district which embraces Yolo and Napa counties. This nomination was made in the

face of the fact that he had emphatically assured his political friends that it would be impossible for him to accept. The nomination was equiva- lent to election, and the compliment was a hand - some one. It furnished striking evidence of the high estimation in which he was held; but business connections and other circumstances obliged him much against his will to decline the honor. Mr. Beamer has been one of the school trustees for the past nine years. He has always affiliated with the Democratic party, with broad views in politics.

He is still a young man, not having yet en- tered upon the fifth decade of life, and belongs to the progressive element which favors advance- ment and development. He is opposed to the slow-going, old fogy class of men whose Silnr- ianism has been so detrimental to the progress of Yolo, and endorses and heartily supports all movements having the welfare of this wonderful section in view. He does not favor a " boom," but believes in encouraging immigration of the desirable kind, and in the dividing of large tracts into small holdings. The magnificent property known as the Beamer Addition con- sists of 100 acres, which has been subdivided into lots for residence purposes, and was recently sold to a syndicate and placed upon the market by R. H. Beamer, who retains an interest therein. The land lies at a considerable elevation above the city, and admirably located as it is it will of necessity become a favorite for well-to-do Woodlanders.

Mr. Beamer has had six children, two of whom have been taken away by death. The eldest living is a young lady, highly accomplished, and the youngest a bright and handsome boy just beginning to walk, and the sunshine of the household.

Personally Mr. Beamer is of engaging ad- dress, quick and incisive in manner of speech, and possessed of pleasing conversational pow- ers. In disposition he is genial and sociable, and having lived here as a boy, youth and man for thirty-five years, has a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

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The following farther particulars concerning the senoir Mr. Beamer are taken from a history published several years ago.

R. L. BEAMER, deceased, of Yolo County, was born February 29, 1816, in Carroll County, Virginia, where he lived until he attained his majority, when he removed to the State of Missouri. He was married to Miss Rebecca Anderson, April 15, 1847, in Livingston County, Missouri. They continued to live as loving husband and wife until death separated them, in 1879. The issue of the marriage was Mary E., aged thirty-one years; Tena R., aged twenty- five years, and Richard Henderson, aged thirty years, still living. Five children are deceased, viz .: Parthena, Asenath, Irene, Hope, and Charity. In 1849 Mr. Beamer, or " Uncle Dicky," as he was almost universally known among his acquaintances and friends, made the long and toilsome trip across the plains to this coast, in search of the glittering treasures that California's mountains held. Finding a health- ful and salubrions climate in the great Sacra- mento Valley, he secured a fine farm in 1852, and in 1854 went back to his Missouri home, and the same year returned to this State by land with his family by ox teams, and settled in Yolo County, at the present family homestead. He was a cabinet-maker by trade, but, after his advent to this State, worked very little at that vocation, devoting his attention principally to agricultural pursuits. He also, for a number of years, was one of the owners of a toll-road and bridge in Placer County, which brought in a handsome monthly revenne, until the comple- tion of the railroad superseding the teaming interests.

" Uncle Dicky" was a man of great force of eharaeter, and although not possessed of a thorongh education, was a man of quite exten- sive reading and great natural mental powers. For a number of years prior to his death, he was a warm and persistent advocate of the Bible, and was a prominent member of the Christian Church at Woodland. Peculiar as he was in many of his characteristics, yet no one ever im-

peached his honesty, his integrity, or his full belief in his religions professions. He was an enterprising man, and whenever the wants of the community demanded contributions on the part of the citizens thereof, " Uncle Dicky's" name was generally to be found among the list of subscribers. In church matters he was par- ticularly liberal, giving generously to the good canse whenever called upon. In the building up and establishing of flesperian College, he was one of the foremost men, and never flinched from the tasks imposed upon him until the in- stitution was put upon a permanent, self-sus- taining basis. As a farmer, he was not entirely so thorough as some, yet, with the help of his estimable wife, suceeeded in accumulating a very handsome estate before he was called away. From the effects of a fall received abont two years prior to his decease, he was never well, and November 5, 1879, was called to his final ac- count, regretted by all classes of the community in which he had so long resided.

J. R. GILBERT is one of the prominent business men of Redding, California He is a native of Akron, Ohio, born June 20, 1847. His father, J. R. Gilbert, was born in Woodstock, Vermont, in 1806, and his mother, nee Dorcas Fillebrown, is a native of Boston, Massachusetts. As captain of a large train, J. R. Gilbert came across the plains to California in 1849. He located in Shasta County and engaged in mercantile business. In 1852 he returned East for his wife and their little son, the subject of this sketch. His store in Shasta was in the California Exchange, a building which cost $30,000. Two weeks after his return to this State that building and con- tents were burned to the ground, without in- surance. This left Mr. Gilbert in greatly re- duced circumstances and out of business. He was then elected and served the county two terms as Treasurer, after which he was enabled from his earnings and sale of remaining property

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

to build a brick store and residence and engage again in the mercantile business. He continued there nntil 1868, when the depreciation of busi- ness and property at Shasta induced him to seek new fields of operation. He then turned his at- tention to fruit farming, but afterward sold out and engaged in the hardware business in Red- ding. His death occurred in 1883.

After the death of his father, Mr. S. J. R. Gilbert purchased the interest of the other heirs and the firm of Gilbert, Miller & Eaton was formed. In 1883 Gilbert, Miller & Eaton had erected a brick building on California street, 51 x 140 feet, in which the Gilbert Hardware Company, successors to Gilbert, Miller & Eaton, now have a large stock of hardware. They do tinning and plumbing and some wholesale busi- ness. Theirs is the pioneer hardware store of Redding. In 1887 Mr. Gilbert built a com- fortable and attractive home at the corner of East and North streets. January 1, 1866, he wedded Miss Elizabeth Wilhelm, a native of New York and of German ancestry, her parents arriving from Germany a short time before her birth. Their union has been blessed with seven children, six of whom are living: Mary W., wife of Mr. J. P. Eaton, a member and vice-presi- dent of the Gilbert Hardware Company; George W., their book-keeper; Fred S., who is working in the shop; Walter F .; Stella M., and J. R., Jr. Mr. Gilbert has the honor of having been grandfather at the age of thirty-seven years, and now at forty-three has three grandchildren. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Gilbert is a member of the A. O. U. W. and the Masonic fraternity. He cast his first vote for General Grant and has continued in the ranks of the Republican party ever since.

B. RUMSEY, JR., a farmer near Wood- land, is a son of J .. B. and Mary Rumsey. His father, a native of Vermont, died when the son was a small boy, in Miami County, Ohio; and his mother, a native of Pennsylvania,

died in Yolo County, in 1886, leaving four chil- dren. The subject of this sketch was born in Miami County, Ohio, in 1834, and canie to California in 1857, stopping first in Santa Clara County. Six months afterward he went to the Southern mines, followed mining there a year, and then was in various localities until 1865, when he settled upon his present place of 120 acres two and one-half miles directly west of Woodland, where he raised wheat mostly, but has forty acres in vineyard. For his wife he married Margaret Ogden, who was born in Illinois, and their children are Jennie M., Lewis W., and Elmer and Alvin, twins.

B ERINGER BROS .- While it is now universally admitted that California can prodnce as good wine as any other part of the world, complaint is made that on account of the dryness of the climate, the wine in aging does not acquire that superior quality claimed by the vintages of other climates. This defect is acknowledged; but the experience of practical wine men from the old world take advantage of the conditions of the new; they have not only entirely obviated this difficulty, but have made of it a benefit. By tunneling in the hills, conditions of moisture so perfect have been fonnd that in the case of those taking advantage of it truly remarkable results are found. This fact was brought forcibly to the notice of the writer when visiting the cellars of the Beringer Bros., in the northern outskirts of St. Helena.

The cellar itself is an imposing structure of stone, two-stories high, topped by an additional story of wood, in which is contained the ma- chinery for receiving, ernshing and handling the grapes. The building is 100 x 44 feet in size, and presents a very ornamental appearance npon the hillside where it is constructed. On the second story are the presses and fermenting tanks, while below are the storage casks. Into the hill at the back is run a tunnel, 200 feet in length, sixteen in breadth and twelve feet in

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A memorial and biographical history of northern California, illustrated. Containing a history of this important section of the Pacific coast from the earliest period of its occupancy...and biographical mention of many of its most eminent pioneers and also of prominent citizens of today, Part 75

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Chicago : The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 1000

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago : The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 1000